I am writing in response to Bruce Lovelin’s recent HH ad, Item #7, where he incorrectly states that Erin Skaar’s salary as County Commissioner is $125,000 per year. I hear on the street that his false statement is getting people riled up so I decided to do some research.
I learned that Commissioner’s salaries are public record, so I looked on the Tillamook County.gov website and found the fact that, as of 2-1-2023, Tillamook County elected official salaries were as follows:
Salary adj. as of 1-1-24
Commissioner: $7572 $7723 $92,676/yr
Clerk $7403 $7551
Justice of Peace $7403 $7551
Treasurer $9701 $8559 $116,412/yr
Assessor $7827 $7984
Sheriff $9701 $9895 $118,740/yr
I don’t know where Mr. Lovelin got his outrageous salary figure but it is not factual or research based.
The elected official salary chart also offers some real perspective. Erin Skaar is one of three Commissioner CEO’s of the 140 million dollar organization that is Tillamook County; and those Commissioners have a salary commensurate with, though lower than some, other county elected officials.
Bruce Lovelin is running for a job that pays $7723 a month ($92,676 a year) as of 1-1-24, the same amount that Erin Skaar makes. I guess he doesn’t want you to think about that, given the insinuating tone of his ad. Lovelin puts his misinformation out to try to make you think there is a problem with Erin Skaar’s ethics, perhaps.
I have known Erin Skaar professionally and personally for over 20 years. She has integrity, scrupulous ethics, intelligence, and clarity. She is a nuanced thinker. She digs in and gets the facts and presents them clearly. Mr. Lovelin’s false ad claim shows a serious lack of scruples.
Erin Skaar is the clear choice for County Commissioner
Tam Z. Hulburt
Tillamook
